DOJ: Man shot by federal agent at US-Canada border is a Washington resident
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for Western District of Washington has identified the person shot by a U.S. Border Patrol agent in Blaine on Tuesday morning as 39-year-old Nathaniel Anthony Muniz-Spry of Everson. He has been federally charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Muniz-Spry was injured by gunshot at about 5:30 a.m. near the intersection of Fourth and A streets in Blaine. The FBI and Customs and Border Patrol told The Herald that a firearm was recovered at the scene. No other injuries were reported.
The FBI is leading the criminal investigation into the incident while CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility conducts a use of force review. No details regarding Muniz-Spry’s injuries have been released.
Muniz-Spry will make his first appearance in federal court in Seattle on Wednesday afternoon.
Muniz-Spry was previously convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm in Whatcom County Superior Court in 2018. He was charged again with two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, as well as the possession with intent to deliver of fentanyl and methamphetamine, in July 2025. He posted $50,000 bail and was released from jail in October.
This story was originally published June 17, 2026 at 10:27 AM.